Unionized registered nurses at UPMC Altoona (Pa.), represented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, voted to authorize the union to send a strike notice to the hospital if a contract agreement isn't reached, according to a report by The Altoona Mirror.
The union and the hospital have been in contract negotiations since October, and the contract is set to expire Jan. 25, according to the report.
The nurses are concerned with staffing issues, a wage freeze and reduction in benefits, according to The Altoona Mirror.
UPMC Altoona officials say the hospital is proposing benefits for the nurses that are consistent with what UPMC provides other nurses and employees.
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